Grain drill



Feb. 14, 1928.

E. E. TOWLE GRAIN DRILL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 19, 1922 Ira/6 EWWl ZT W Q 72/, mm 7. @Eiifl Nb 4mm x haw Feb. 14, 1928.

E. E. TOWLE GRAIN DRILL 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 .jmedo EZTTLKTE Tdwl YWW Filed June 1 Feb. 14, 1928.

E. E. TOWLE GRAIN DRILL Filed June 19, 1822 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Feb. 14, 1928.

an star as ELFZER E. rownn, or RICHMOND, INDIANA, assienon 'IO vnsrnsoomrnnv, or onrcaeo, rumors, A oosronnrr 5 p GRAIN Application filed June 19,

The present invention relates to grain drills of the hand guided or walking type and is directed more particularly to im' provement in the construction and arrangement of the drive for the seeding mechanism and of the means for guiding and turning the machine. 1

With this in view, a walking drill of improved construction has been devised which supported on one front and two rear w ieels all of which can caster or swivel during a turn, the drive for the seeding mechanism being from the front Wheel and the construction being such that operation of the driving mechanism'and swiveling of the front drive wheel are both automatically controlled by the raising and lowering mechanism for the furrow openers5 the arrangement of the-driving mechanism being such as not to interfere with swiveling of the front wheel. i r

The invention accordingly comprises the organization and details of construction, or their equivalents, hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherev Fig. 1 is a side view ofa drill embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; 1

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front view ofithe front or drive wheel and associated drive mechanism; V

detail side view of the upper part of 3 showing the drive gears in meshing position Fig. 5 is a similar view with the drive gears out of meshing position;

Fig. 6 is-a detail side view of the lower part of Fig. 3; a I

Fig. 7 is a detail top view of the casting or head block supporting the front-wheel;

Fig. 8 is a top detail view of the slide member for controlling the drive and front wheel; and

Fig. 9 is a detail view of the upper drive gears,

The planter comprises a main frame preferably formed of a curved or U-shaped bar 10, the limbs or branchesof which are directed rearwardly and then bent outwardly at their ends as at 10. The rear cross bar 11 secured to the bent ends 10 and a front cross bar 12 connects the sides of the frame at the base of the arched partof bar 10.

, I M V. 1,6[59 0 9 FATENJ -I F I INTERNATIONAL HA3.

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DRILL. i 1922. Serial No. 569,326.

The cross bar 12 is preferably formed'with angularly bent ends 12 which are secured to bar 10 by fastening elements 13 and.

by a cylindrical rod 14: which extends across the frame parallel with bar 12' and has its endspassed through and secured to the bent ends 12 and the frame bar 10 in the manner shown in Fig. 1. The rod14 serves as a bearing or supportfor a central drag bar 15 and two intermediate drag bars 16 to which the openers, in this case shown as single disks, are secured. Each of these drag bars is provided with a lateral branch 17. at its forward end engaging the rod 14 to brace the bar againstlateral swinging movement but the two intermediate drag bars are free to slide laterally on bar14 while the central bar is held against sliding movement by any suitable means. On each side of the frame there are mounted outer drag bars 18, the forward ends of which are both vertically and horizontally pivoted to thetouter sides of the framebar 10 at points forward of the rod- 14 where they engage pivot bolts 19: extending-laterally from the frame and supported by brackets 20 on bar 10. The bolts 19 serve as horizontal pivots for hinge plates21to which thedragbars 18 are pivted on vertical axes. There isthus provided one central, two intermediate and two outer drag bars each-of which carries a disk opener and seed boot all of which may be raise'dend loweredinunisonby means of a lever 22 secured to a rock shaft 28 mounted in bearing bracketsQ iwhich are secured to upright braces connecting the handles'with the frame. The lever 22 is held in adjusted position by the usual pawl and rack meeha nismand the rock shaft 23 is provided with spaced lifting arms 25 formed with forked ends inwhichare pivoted the pressure plates 26 through which the lifting bars 27 freely pass. These bars 27 are pivoted to the seed boots and carry compression springs 28 whiehbear at their upper-ends on the plates 26 and the bars 27 are provided with means for varyingthe compression of springs 28 and the height 'towhich the openers are lifted, which means may consist of a series of-perforations at the upper ends of bars 27 in any of which a cotter pin. maybe secured For the purpose of varying the space between the respective openers there is employed a longitudinally extending operating ill) rod 29 which is journaled in the front and rear cross bars 11 and 12 and has an upwardly turned handle 80 at its rear end engaging a rack 31 carried by rear frame bar 11. At its forward end, this rod 29 has secured to it a cross head 32, each of the oppositely extending arms of which is connected spring pressed sliding links 33 to the intermediate drag bars on each side and these in turn are connected by similar links 3st to the outer drag bars at a predetermined point in the length thereof. spacing of the drag bars may be quickly and easily adjusted by turning handle to either the right or left, thereby transmitting differential movement to the intermediate and outer drag bars and preserving uniform distances between all the bars at each adjustment. The above described mechanism forms the subject matter of assignees c0- pending application of Hiram l-l. Hunting ton, SerialNo. 563,985 filed May .26, 1922.

V The machine is supported on two rear caster Wheels 35 which are swiveled in vertical hearings in the brackets 35' secured to the frame in the angles formed by the bent ends 10 of the frame, and on one front wheel 36 which is journaled on an axle mounted in the fork of a front truck 37 positioned within the forward arch of the frame and which has a. vertical spindle 38 journaled in the supporting casting or head block The head block is secured to the center of bar 12 which is preferably arched upwardly as seen inFig. l and the head block is braced and secured to the sides of the frame by side members 40. The usual handles ll are secured to the rear of the frame for use in guiding themachine and rigid draft mem bers 42 converge forwardly from the sides of the truck 37 and carry a clevis or hitch 43 on their front ends.

The mechanism for driving the seed and fertilizer discharging devices and that for controlling the swiveling of the front wheel comprises a vertical shaft 44 (Fig. 3) journaled in a bearing 45 on the truck and having apinion 46 fixed to its lower end which is in. mesh. with a pinion 4L7 fixed to the hub of wheel 36. At its upper end, shaft a l is journaled in a gear cap 48 which is fastened by set screw 9 to the upper end of spindle 38 vzhich extends some distance above head block 39 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The gear cap. 48 encloses a larger gear 50 journaled on the upper end of spindle 38 and also a long spur gear 51 fixed on the upper end of shaft 44 and meshing with gear 50. Gear 50 has fixed beneath it a smaller bevel pinion 52. The two gears 50 and 52 are journaled on spindle 88 and can slide upwardly thereon but are normally pressed downwardly toward the top of head block 39 by a spring 53. hen in lowered or nor mal position, the bevel pinion 52 meihes With this device, the

with another bevel pinion 54s which is journaled on a laterally extending stub shaft 55 mounted on head block 39 and this pinion drives with it a sprocket 56 which carries a chain 57 trained over drive sprocket (not shown) on the shaft which drives the grain discharging mechanism and also over sprocket 58 on the countershaft which drives the fertilizer discharging mechanism, both grain and fertilizer discharging mechanisms being contained in the double hopper 59 on the rear of the machine. Between the top of the head block 09 and the gears 50 and 52 there is interposed a slide member 60. This slide is provided with a slot- 61 (Fig. 8) receiving spindle 38 and, at the rear end of this slot, the top of slide has a depression or seat 62 connected by inclines G3 with the upper surface of the slide, the slot at this point being somewhat narrowed as at 64. 011 the under side, slide 60 has front and rear inclines or cams 65, 66, and these cooperate with opposite inclines or cam surfaces 57. 68 cu head block (Fig. 7), the incline 66 being preferably provided with depending flanges which retain it on incline 68. The narrowed portion 64 of slot 61 receives the upper end of a latch rod 69 (Figs. 4, 5) which is held on the slide by a washer 70 secured on the rod and seated in depression 62 on slide 60. The latch rod 69 works or reciprocates in a socket 71 in head block and is pressed downwardly by a spring 72. The lower end of the latch 69 normally protrudes from the under side of head block 39 and is adapted to engage a latch opening 78 provided in a rearwardly extending flange T-l on truck 37. When the latch is so engaged, thetruck 87 is locked tothe frame withthe front wheel in position for travel straight ahead. The slide 60 is actuated by connecting link 75 which has one end enganged in an opening 76 in the rear of the slide and its other end pivoted to an upright arm 77 fixed to the rock shaft 23. lVith this construction, rocking of the shaft 23 to lift the openers will pull slide 60 backwards and lowering of the openers will push it forward. @wing to the cooperating cams 65, 66, 67 and 6S, slide 60 will be caused to rise when pulled backwards throwing pinions 52, 54, out'of mesh and lifting latch rod 69 thereby releasing the front truck and leaving it free to swivel on the head block as the direction of draft is changed to turn the machine, additional lift being given rod 69 by the incline 63 over which the washer 70 travels. Conversely, when the openers are lowered, slide 60 permits pinion 52 to be pressed downwardly y spring into mesh with pinion 54 and at the same time latch 69 is pressed downwardly against the ledge or flange 74 and engages opening 73 when the truck swings back and the front wheel is straight ahead position. Viith the construction above described, it will be evident that a walking drill is provided which may be turned in very small space as raising of releases the front i the openers automatically truck and the machine can then be turned short on all three swivel wheels. At the same time, the advantages of a rigid front truck for straight ahead work are preserved as also the advantages arising from a front wheel drive. i p

The above disclosure exemplifies one form which the invention may take and modifications thereof may be'made within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A walking planter comprising a frame, a front wheeland rear wheels journaled on supports swiveled to the frame, a rigid draft member secured to the support for the front wheel, means normally locking the front wheel support to the frame in position for travel straight forward, seed discharge mechanism on the frame, means for driving said mechanism from the front wheel, furrow openers pivotally connected to the frame, means for raising and lowering the furrow openers, and means cooperating with said raising and lowering means for simultaneously releasing the front wheel and disconnecting the drive for the seed discharging mechanism as the furrow openers are raised.

In an implement of the class described, a. frame, a wheeled truck supporting the front of the frame and connected thereto to turn on a vertical axis, supporting means for the rear of the frame, latch mechanism normally acting to lock the truck to the frame for travel straight ahead, drag bars pivotally connected to the frame and carrying ground working tools, means for raising and .owering the drag bars, and means cooperating with said raising and lowering means for withdrawing the latch to release the truck for turning when the drag bars are raised, said means comprising a slotted plate slidably mounted on the truck and having a cam portion cooperating with a cam face on the truck, and a locking pin supported in the slot in said plate and adapted to be actuated by movement thereof.

A walking planter comprising a frame, front and rear wheels journaled on supports swiveled to the frame, a draft member fixed to the front wheelsupport, means including a spring pressed pin for normally locking the front wheel support in position for travel straight forward, seed discharging mechanism on the frame, gearing for driving said mechanism from the front wheel including a shiftable pinion on the front wheel support, furrow openers on the frame having raising and lowering means, and means actuated by the raising and lowering means for releasing the front wheel and disconnecting the drive as the furrow openers are raised comprising a shdable cam plate in engagement with the shiftable pinion and formedwith a slot suplocking the truck against rotation with re spect to the frame for insuring travel of the drill in a desired direction, tool bars pivotally connected to the frame, earth working elements *xirried by the tool bars, means for elevating and depressing the tool bars, and

devices cooperating with the elevating and depressing means to control the truck locking means, said devices including a slotted cam plate cooperating with a cam face upon the i truck and a locking pin projecting through the slot in said plate.

5. In an agricultural implement, a frame, supports for the rear partof said frame, a front caster wheel support for said fran'ie, a ground wheel rotatable on said support, a draft member at the front part of the frame, locking means cooperating with the caster wheel, supports for holding the groundwheel in position for straight-ahead it avel of the implement, power transmitting devices operatively connected to said ground wheel and supported; on said frame, earthworkingelements pivotally connected to said frame, and controlling means for simultaneously raising said earth-working elements, releasing the locking means and unclutching said power transmitting devices.

6. In a grain drill for planting grain between rows ofstandmg corn, a frame, a front caster wheel, rear supports for the frame, meansnormally lockingthe front wheel in position for straight-ahead travel of the drill, seed dispensing mechanism on the frame, powertransmitting devices operatively connected to the front wheel for driving the seed discharging mechanism, furrow openers, and means for sin'iultaneously raising the furrow openers and releasing the locking means for the front wheel and dis connecting the power tran mitting devices.

7. In a grain drill for planting grain between rows of standing corn, a frame, a front wheel, rear supports for the frame, means normally locking the front wheel in position for straightahead travel of the drill, seed dispensing mechanism on the frame, power transmitting devices operatively connected to the front wheel for driving the eed dispensing mechanism, furrow openers. and means for simultaneously rais ing the furrow openers and releasing the look ing means for the front wheel anddisconnecting the power transmit-ting t evices, said means including a shaft rockable to simulill) drill, seed dispensing llioCitll'liSHl on the frame, power transmitting devices operativeiy connected to the front whee for driv 'ing the seed dispensing mecnanisn'i, furrow opei ers, and means for simultaneously raising the furrow openersand reluising the locking means for the front wheel and dis connecting the power ii-aiisii'iittiiig devices,

said means including a single elen'ientmovable in one direction to perform the above mentioned simulhincous operations.

9. In a grain d ll for planting grain be tween rows of standing corn, a frame,

front wheel, rear SUPPOE'QS for be frame, means normally locking the front wheel in position for st '2llgl1b2lll' ad travel of the drill, seed dispensing mechanism on the frame, power transmit,- devices operatively connected to the front ieel for driving the seed dispensing mechanism, furrow openers, and means for simultaneous y raising; the furrow openers and releasing the locking means for the frontwheel and disconnecting the power transmittin devices, said means con'iprising a rock sh; 't movable in one direction to perform the above mentioned functions, and connections between the furrow openers, the locking means, and the the power transmitting devices, respectively, and the rock shaf.

10. In an agricultural implement, a frame, supports for the rear p: rt of said frame, L front caster wheel support for said if ame, 2 ground w icel rotatable on said support, 1 draft membe at the front part of the frame, locking means coinierat nn with the caster wheel, locking means for holding the ground wheel in position for straight-ahead travel of the implement, power transmittingde vices operatively connected to said ,e round wheel and supported on said frame, earthworiring elements pivotally connected to said :lrame, and controlling means for simultaneously raising said earth-working elements, releasing the locking means and unclutching' said power transmit 'nn' devices, said controll'ng; means including a rock sl aft movable in one direction to accomplish all of the above mentioned results.

11. In an agricultural implement, a frame, supports for the rear part of said frame, a front caster wheel support for said frame, a ground wheel rotatable on said support, a draft member at the front part of the frai'ne, locking means cooperating with the caster wheel supports for holding the ground wheel in position for straight-ahead travel of the implement, power transmitting devices Operatively connected to said ground wheel and supported on said frame, earth-working elements pivotally connected to said frame, and controlling means for simultaneously raising said earth-working eicments, releasing the lockin means and nnclutching said power transmitting; devices, said controlling means including a single element, the movement of which in one direction aczomplishes the above mentoned three results.

l2. in an agrri 'ultural implement, a frame, supports for the rear part of said fame, a front caster wheel support for said frame, a ground \liecl rotatable on said support, 2 draft member at th front part of the frame, locking men cooperating with the caster wheel suppoi for holding the ground wheel in position for st night-ahead travel of the implcnent, power transmitting devices op- 1 erativelr connected to said ground wheel and red on said frame, eartlrworlring elecon acted to said frame, and

i for simultaneously raising working elements, releasing the t and unclutching said power novices, said controlling means comprisi 1g 1 rock shaft and connections between the it it aft, the earth-working elecon-tr )i said o Eoc rng 1 transu'iitt ting means, and the power oevices, it in a grain drill for planting grain beiuitti tween rows of standing corn, a frame, a front wheel, rear supports for the frame, locking means for normally lolding the front wheel in position for straight-ahead travel of the drill, seed dispensing mechanism on the frame, power transmitting dc vices operatively connected to the front wheel for driving the seed dispensing niechanism, said power transmitting devices including an elen'ient movable to interrupt the drivingconnection, a nremher movable to release said locking means and interrupt the 'ng connection through the power transnntting devices, furrow openers. and a rock s'iaft movable in one direction to elevate the furrow openers and act upon said member to snnultaneously release the locking means and ring devices.

rent, a frame, iront of the i-lable on said supabl v inozu'ited disconnect the power transi 1 1-. in an agricultu; 5 a caster wheel sup wort inc frame, a caster wheel r port, a vertical s, on the frame and sci-vii Q i :lIZlr about which the caster wheel turns, mechanism on the frame, and power trans mitting devices operably connected to said caster wheel and said driving mechanism, said power ices int-luring a counter-shaft, a bearing on the support for said counter-shalt a second bearing for the couuter-shaft, gearing" at the top of the ndie operatii connected to said driving mechanism, and a cap protecting said gearing and maintaining the second bearing in alignment with the first hearing. I i

15. In an agricultural implement, a frame, a support at the rear of the frame, a caster wheel supporting the front of theframe, a draft member at the front of the frame, alocking pin for maintaining the caster wheel in position for straight-ahead travel of the implement, power transmitting devices operatively connected to the caster wheel, and a single movable element for simultaneously releasing said locking means and disconnecting said power transmitting devices, said'movable element directly engaging the locking pin and one of the powen transmitting devices.

' travel of the implement, power 16. In an agricultural implement, a frame, a support at the rear of the frame, a caster wheel supporting the front of the frame, a draft member at the front of the frame, locking means for maintaining the caster Wheel in position for travel of the implement, power transmitting devices operatively connected to the caster wheel, and a single sliding element for simultaneously releasing said locking means and disconnecting said power transmitting devices, said sliding element directly engaging the locking means.

17. In an agricultural implement, a frame, a support at caster wheel supporting the front of the frame, a draft member at the'front of the frame, locking means for maintaining the caster Wheel in position for straight-ahead transmitting devices operatively connected to the caster wheel, and a single cam for simultaneously releasing said locking means and disconnecting said power transmitting devices, said cam directly engaging the locking means;

18. In an agricultural straight-ahead the rear of the frame, a

implement, a v I frame, a supportat the rear of caster" wheel supporting the frame, locking means caster wheel in position forstraight-ahead travel of the implement, power transmitting devices operatively connected to the casterwheel, and a single sliding cam for s1- multaneously releasing said locking means and disconnectingsaid power transmitting directly engaging devices, said sliding cam the locking means.

19; In agricultural implement, a frame, a support, at the rear of theframe, a

the frame, a front of the frame, a draft member at the front of the I for maintaining the I caster wheel supporting the front of' the at the front of the for maintaining the frame, a draft member frame, locking means caster wheel in position for straight-ahead travel of the implement, power transmitting devices operatively connected to the caster wheel, and a single slotted cam plate for simultaneously releasing said locking means anddiscon'necting said power transmitting devices, said slotted camplate directly engaging the locking means.

In testimony whereof I afiix mysignature.

ELMER n. TOWLE.

an agricultural implement, a

a support at the rear of the frame, a, 

